Hearts have confirmed the signing of Ryotaro Meshino on a season-long loan deal.

The Japanese attacking midfielder arrives from Manchester City, having only moved to the Etihad this summer from Gamba Osaka in his homeland for a fee of around £900,000.

He flew in to Edinburgh this morning after returning to Japan in order to complete the visa process and get married.

Having been traveling for the past 20 hours and only due to meet his teammates for the first time today, it's unlikely he'll go in to the starting line up for tomorrow's match against Hamilton at Tynecastle, but may be on the bench.

The 21-year-old wasn’t eligible for a UK work permit to play for Pep Guardiola’s side, who decided to temporarily send him elsewhere for his first season in order for him to play regularly.

Meshino had the choice of other clubs, reportedly in Holland, but opted to sign for Hearts in order to experience British football.

“I’m delighted to be here and I feel very good about coming to Hearts and everybody that I’ve met at the club," he said.

“I visited many clubs in Europe and I felt that at Hearts, it was the best feeling, with watching the game, the supporters, and the people at the club.

“I felt that the people at the club really wanted me to come here and this was the most important thing when I visited.

“I’m an exciting player who dribbles and want to assist my teammates and also score goals, and get started with Hearts.”

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The Jambos successfully applied for a work permit for the player earlier this month on the basis that he was an “exceptional talent” and that they would be unable to sign a player of similar ability from within the European Union.

Assistant manager Austin MacPhee, who speaks Japanese following a spell there as a player, successfully argued the club's case and permit was granted.

Meshino is comfortable on either flank as well as in an advanced central role behind the striker, and could prove a useful replacement for the injured Jamie Walker.

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